Built For Mercy

Sweat ran down my face as I darted around the alley. I knew he was right behind me, I could feel it. I slowed my breathing and covered my mouth. How did I get here? It all happened so quickly. One minute I was walking through the park, and the next he grabbed me. I raised my arms up to my neck, feeling the mark of where his hands were. I could hear the pounding of his chunky boots as he roamed through the streets. Searching. Aching to find me. Once I thought he was far enough, I slowly turned and began to back out of the alley. That's when I heard them again. The boots. The sound started to quicken, stopping at the alley. Please no. I could hear how heavy my breath was as tears escaped my face. It was pitch black, but even so, I could feel his amber eyes piercing my very soul. Every part of me wanted to run, but my brain was telling me I wouldn't make it. I slowly made my way behind the dumpster nearby, waiting to hear the stomping sounds pass me. As the sound inched closer to me, I tried as hard as I could to keep quiet. I could barely tell if I was breathing or not. I watched as the shadowy figure stopped right next to the dumpster. Right next to me. After what felt like a lifetime of silence, the sound started up again, growing further and further away. I tip-toed my way out of the alley and through the deserted park. As I stumbled back to my car, I felt his gaze still upon me, watching. Even safely inside my car, I couldn't get the thought out. No, I-it couldn't be. I tried to get the thought out of my head, but it wouldn't leave. It couldn't. The question still lingered. Did I really escape? Because...I could've sworn he was smiling at that dumpster.